St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1887-07-16

sees that bear? Reckon maybe he'll
say he'll tan my hide"
Ben went away for awhile. and left
the bear to his new quarters. But he
couldn't stay away from his prize"
long. He had to come back to the
granary.
He peeped through knot-hole, but
Bruin was not in sight. He went up to
the loft above. opened . scuttle. and
looked into the granary. The bear
was sitting bolt upright in the middle
Of the floor, holding his head on one
side, and looking about him in .
peculiarly knowing way. He evidently
thought that his new master had been
careful of his interests in providing
such fine abode for HIM. and giving
him such handsome things to look At
As Ben gazed down at him. the bear
rose on his hind feet gravely. walked to
the wall. and deliberately pulled down
a handsome silver-handled whip. which
was Mr.. Kennison's particular pride.
and began to chew at the handle. He
evidently thought It was something
good to eat
20. see here!' roared Ben. from his
perch above the granary; ''this thing
won't do. You let 60 that whip or it
will be bad for you"
He really forgot. for the moment,
that the bear could not understand
him. But Ben declared. when he told
the story. that the bear did understand
him. and laughed, and went on trying
to eat the whip until he had reduced
that article to shapeless mass. Then
he dropped it and looked for something
else to do.
..What will he take ncxt?' thought
the now frightened Ben, IS he saw the
twinkling eyes Of the bear wandering
along the walls of the room.
Here, don't touch that! Get out!"
shouted Ben. shaking his fists at the
bear. Don't touch thatr'
The bear had his eyes on that silver
plated harness in which Mr.. Kennison
especially delighted. and Ben's re-
searches in natural history were likely
to have painful ending. Again the
animal stalked gravely to the wall,
from which he dragged down the har-
ness and at once proceeded to dissect
it
Here! Let that aloner' shouted
Ben. frantically. He caught up lot
of blocks which lay on the door and be-
gan to hurl them 1t the bear. The ami
NAL paid not the slightest attention to
them, but continued to pick the harness
to pieces, until it was g useless q the
whip.
20 dear!' sighed Ben. = he looked
down into the granary; 'what did
want with . bear? Every thing was
going all right, and was sure that
father would come back and say what
. good manager had been, and now
it's Just awful! What is he after nowl
Wouldn't he like to have me 60 out and
drive in . pig for him! or may b be
could enjoy . young Injin; th ere's
lots Of them out here by the Moira
There he goes again.
The bear had again reached out his
paws and taken into them . handsome
gray wolf-robe and was tearing it ia
pieces, growing as he did 20. and n
the same time plainly enjoying himself.
Ben. meanwhile. sat above the scuttle.
looking down. pale and excited. and
wondering if whips and harness and
robes would satisfy his hunger. or il he
would break out and eat up the fences.
..l'n get even with the man that sold
me that bearr' he said. '.Forty dollars
father paid for that wolf-robe. O. If
had . gun! It's getting dark. and ]
haven't had my supper. and I've got to
sit here and watch him or some one
will 20 into the granary and get bitten.
Something has gott be done. Ireckon
I'd better 60 and get Indian John to
shoot the big brute"
Ben hurried down the ladder and ran
out into the farm-yard.
Time had been passing swiftly. and
it was nearly dark. Just - he got to
the barn-yard gstes they swung open
and Farmer Ken 1ison rode in.
The horse had scarcely reached the
barn-door when he suddenly gave Z
wild snort Of fright and made such .
sudden spring that hs threw Mr.. Ken
nison out, and bef IRE he could b stopped
he was running rapidly across the
ward. A Mr.. Ksnnison got up. greatly
puzzled BY the horses fright he heard
a savage roar issue from the granary.
He sprang up and ran to the door and
was about to enter. when Ben caught
his arm.
Father" he said. don't 60 there.
sWhat il the matter? what u in
there?''
"A bear" replied Ben. desperately.
IF you'll 60 up the ladder and lool
down into the granary. Iguess yoo car
zee him. He can't do any more damage
he's already done Ill he can"
Mr.. Kennison ran up the ladder and
looked down into the granary, aAd y
he did so furious growl came up from
below. The keen eyes Of the old gen
tleman wandered over tho ruin which
the hear had wrought Then he turned
to Ben.
Go and get my gun"
Ben never went to the house and bacl
more quickly than he did that time. He
brought the big musket which had sesE
service in battle.
Mr.. KAnnison looked down at the
bear. which had been running around
the granary. and vas apparently aax
ions to get It the stalwaEt man ahcve